Task group for historic Bella Vista farm

The news couldn't come soon enough for Friends of Bella Vista Farm president Keith Bensley who said they could now get on with the business of increasing the patronage of the homestead, built about 1835, that sits on the 18.5-hectare park off Norwest Boulevarde.

"The 355 committee has been out of action for the best part of a year now which has meant there has been no progress made with the future of the farm," Mr Bensley said.

"Our objective is to put the farm, particularly the homestead, to a good use. There's a lot of money being spent — millions of government, community and council dollars — on its restoration, but it's seldom used."

The Hills Council's 355 management committees used to advise on a variety of the council's facilities and reserves until they were turned into either friends or parks committees last year. Some were dissolved.

"I think the last 355 meeting was probably February last year, so we're getting close to 12 months of nothing," Mr Bensley said.

On Tuesday, the council endorsed the new Bella Vista Farm Park Task Group as: Councillors Andrew Jefferies, Alan Haselden, Mike Thomas and mayor Michelle Byrne, and community members Gary Pinter, Jacob Guenther and Brian McHenry.